Meet Our Instructors

​Chad Hertzell has over 30 years of experience in military, law enforcement, and firearms training. He served as an Infantryman and Expert Infantry Badge Instructor in the 82nd Airborne Division and California National Guard before spending 27 years with the California Highway Patrol (CHP).

During his time with CHP, Chad was an Active Shooter Instructor for law enforcement and a certified EMT, providing critical incident training and emergency response instruction.

A graduate of Front Sight Institute, Chad is a USCCA, DOJ, and NRA-certified firearms instructor, specializing in CCW training, home defense, and active shooter response.

✔ Expert Infantry Badge Instructor (U.S. Army)
✔ CHP Officer – 27 Years
✔ Active Shooter & Defensive Tactics Instructor
✔ Certified Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
✔ USCCA, DOJ & NRA Certified CCW Instructor
✔ NRA Certified Law Enforcement Handgun Instructor
✔ NRA Certified Handgun & Personal Protection Instructor
✔ NRA Certified Range Safety Officer

🔥 Specialties:

• Active shooter response

• CCW training

• Personal defense

Mindy Hertzell is a highly skilled firearms instructor and co-owner of The CSA, bringing both a medical and civilian perspective to firearms training. A Registered Nurse for over 10 years, Mindy understands the importance of preparedness, situational awareness, and responsible firearm ownership.

A graduate of Front Sight Institute, she is a DOJ, USCCA, and NRA-certified instructor, specializing in concealed carry, home defense, and firearm safety. She is passionate about empowering women and new shooters, providing a welcoming, practical approach to self-defense training.

✔ Registered Nurse – Over 10 Years
✔ Front Sight Institute Graduate
✔ DOJ Certified CCW Instructor
✔ USCCA Certified CCW & Firearms Instructor
✔ NRA Certified Pistol Instructor
✔ NRA Certified Personal Protection (Inside & Outside the Home)
✔ NRA Certified CCW Instructor
✔ NRA Certified Range Safety Officer

🔥 Specialties:

• CCW training

• Home defense

• Firearms safety

• Women's self-defense

• First Aid/CPR

Mark Jeter brings 30 years of law enforcement experience from the DEA and California Department of Fish and Wildlife, specializing in firearms, defensive tactics, and use-of-force training.

As a certified Range Master and Weaponless Defense Instructor, he trains students in pistol, shotgun, AR-10 rifle tactics, as well as non-lethal self-defense techniques like Taser and pepper spray.

Mark is a USCCA and DOJ-certified CCW instructor, providing expert training in concealed carry, tactical defense, and personal protection strategies.

✔ POST Certified Range Master
✔ POST Certified Pistol, Shotgun & AR-10 Rifle Instructor
✔ POST Certified Weaponless Defense & Use-of-Force Instructor
✔ POST Certified Pepper Spray & Taser Instructor
✔ USCCA & DOJ Certified CCW Instructor

🔥 Specialties:

• CCW training

• Defensive tactics

• Non-lethal self-defense

With over three decades of combined military, law enforcement, and firearms instruction experience, Tony DiVecchia brings a powerhouse of real-world expertise to every course he teaches. A U.S. Army veteran who served with the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment and later graduated from the Military Police Academy, Tony’s tactical background includes Special Response Team operations and advanced traffic enforcement.

Tony is a certified expert in both pistol and rifle marksmanship and holds numerous instructor credentials across the firearm and personal defense industry. He is certified through the USCCA, DOJ, and NRA to teach CCW, home defense, competition shooting, and active shooter response. He also specializes in tactical and emergency medical aid training — including CPR and EMR (Emergency Medical Responder) certifications.

✓ Expert Marksman: Pistol & Rifle (U.S. Army)
✓ Sharpshooter: Pistol & Rifle
✓ Certified Emergency Medical Responder (EMR)
✓ CPR Certified
✓ USCCA Certified Firearms Instructor
✓ DOJ Certified CCW Instructor
✓ NRA Certified CCW & Handgun Instructor
✓ NRA Certified Personal Protection Instructor
✓ NRA Certified Range Safety Officer
✓ USCCA Certified AR-15 Instructor
✓ SIRT Pistol Instructor
✓ Tactical & Emergency Medical First Aid Instructor
✓ FFL Type 03 License Holder
✓ Firearm Safety Certificate (FSC) Facilitator

🔥Specialties:

• CCW Certification

• Marksmanship (Pistol & Rifle)

• Tactical Medical Training

• Home Defense

• Emergency Response Instruction

Carlos Ponce is a seasoned firearms instructor with over 30 years of law enforcement experience and a distinguished background as a U.S. Marine Corps veteran. A former SWAT team member and tactical firearms expert, Carlos has conducted high-risk operations and trained professionals in everything from active-shooter response to precision weapons handling. He’s a certified USCCA Firearms Instructor and a California DOJ Certified CCW Instructor, known for delivering calm, confidence-building instruction to civilians of all skill levels. In addition to his field expertise, Carlos teaches at local colleges and law enforcement academies, making him a trusted mentor for students seeking real-world readiness with a professional yet approachable style. 

Certifications:

✔︎ Over 30 years of law enforcement experience

✔︎ U.S. Marine Corps veteran with special operations background

✔︎ Former SWAT team operator

✔︎ Certified USCCA Firearms Instructor

✔︎ California DOJ Certified CCW Instructor

✔︎ College-level criminal justice and firearms instructor.

✔︎POST Certified Firearms Instructor

✔︎POST Certified Long Gun Instructor

✔︎POST Certified First Aid/AED/CPR Instructor

✔︎FLETC Certified Tactical Medicine Instructor

✔︎LSU/NCBRT Certified Active-Shooter Instructor

🔥Specialties: 

• Firearms safety & fundamentals 

• Concealed Carry (CCW) permit instruction

• Home and personal defense tactics

• Active shooter awareness & response

• Low-light and tactical shooting techniques

• Confidence-building for new shooters

• Tactical Medical Training

Bobby S. is a highly accomplished law enforcement professional and U.S. Army veteran with over 17 years of experience in public safety, tactical instruction, and high-risk operations. As a designated marksman with the 3rd Infantry Division during his deployment to Iraq in 2005, Bobby earned the Combat Infantry Badge for exemplary performance in combat. In law enforcement, he has served in specialized units including the Governor’s Protective Detail, Special Response Team, and Warrant Service Team—roles that honed his expertise in threat response, tactical training, and risk assessment. Bobby is a certified firearms and active shooter instructor, as well as a seasoned hunter education instructor with a lifelong passion for ethical and responsible hunting. He teaches multiple courses, including a 5-hour Basic Home Defense Shotgun class, where he blends real-world experience with a strong focus on safety and practical skill development. Approachable and experienced, Bobby brings calm, confidence, and credibility to every training session. 

Certifications:

✔︎ U.S. Army veteran – Designated Marksman, Combat Infantry Badge (Iraq)

✔︎ Over 17 years of law enforcement experience

✔︎ POST Certified Firearms Instructor

✔︎ POST Certified Active Shooter Instructor

✔︎ Certified USCCA Firearms Instructor

✔︎ California DOJ Certified CCW Instructor

✔︎ Hunter Education Instructor

✔︎ Specialized experience with Protective Details and Response Teams

🔥Specialties: 

• Firearms safety & fundamentals

• Home defense shotgun training

• Concealed Carry (CCW) permit instruction

• Active shooter awareness & response

• Tactical operations and threat assessment

• Hunter education and field safety

• Confidence-building for new and intermediate shooters

Anthony Merjano is a dedicated firearms instructor with over five years of experience teaching students how to handle firearms safely, confidently, and responsibly. A certified USCCA Firearms Instructor, NRA Handgun Instructor, and NRA Range Safety Officer, Anthony has trained civilians across a wide range of skill levels with a calm, structured, and approachable style.

He is a graduate of Gunsite Academy (Arizona), Front Sight (Las Vegas), and Staccato (Las Vegas), and has completed advanced instructor training through the Sierra College Administration of Justice Firearms Instructor School. There, he earned qualifications in Range Master leadership, Marksmanship, Program Development, and Student Instruction.

Anthony has also served as a firearms instructor with the 4H Youth Development Program, teaching pistol and rifle safety in a structured, age-appropriate environment — a testament to his patience, professionalism, and commitment to developing safe shooters of all ages.

Certifications:

✔︎ USCCA Certified Firearms Instructor
✔︎ NRA Certified Handgun Instructor
✔︎ NRA Range Safety Officer
✔︎ Graduate of Gunsite Academy – Arizona
✔︎ Graduate of Front Sight – Las Vegas
✔︎ Graduate of Staccato – Las Vegas
✔︎ Graduate of Sierra College Firearms Instructor School
✔︎ Certified Range Master
✔︎ Certified in Marksmanship, Program Development & Student Instruction
✔︎ 4H Youth Firearms Instructor – Pistol & Rifle

🔥 Specialties:

Firearms safety & fundamentals
Civilian handgun instruction
Live-fire range instruction
Youth pistol & rifle education
Marksmanship training
One-on-one and group instruction
Confidence-building for new shooters
Defensive mindset and readiness